Stoke take on Tottenham this Saturday as Mark Hughes’ side look for their first 3 points of the Premier League season.
The Potters sit plum on the bottom of the table having lost two and drawn one of their 3 opening fixtures, in what has been a disappointing start to the season for the side who finished an impressive 9th in the previous campaign.
Tottenham have also made a slow start this season, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side – although unbeaten thus far – have only managed one win in their opening three fixtures, that being at home to Crystal Palace in a tense fixture decided by a late Victor Wanyama goal.
Both sides will be looking to kick start their season into gear, and the fixture this Saturday will give both sides a chance to flaunt their deadline day signing’s for the first time.
Stoke signed Wilfried Bony and dutch defender Bruno Martins Indi in two last gasp deals, while the Lilywhites managed the secure the sought-after services of Moussa Sissoko as they left it right down to the wire to confirm the signing.
So who will impress this weekend? Will it be one of the new boys? Or will it be one of the regulars? Our landlord at the Transfer Tavern thinks these are the THREE to watch this Saturday ….
Christian Eriksen
Fresh from signing a new long-term deal with the club, Christian Eriksen will be keen to show his worth, especially after Spurs signed two new central midfielders in the summer transfer window.
The former Ajax man had a terrific end to the previous campaign but has struggled to get going thus far this season, but a new contract which will keep him at White Hart Lane till 2020, should be the motivation he needs to get his season up and running.
Wilfried Bony
Stoke’s new boy on the block Wilfried Bony will be hoping to get his Potters career of to a flying start this weekend, as the Ivorian looks to re-find the form that earned him a big money to move from Swansea to Manchester City back in January of 2014.
Big, strong, athletic and excellent at holding the ball up, expect to see the 27-year-old back to his brilliant best as he uses his physique and size to bring the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Bojan into the game too.
Our landlord predicts a goal and an assist for the big man this weekend …
Joe Allen
The Welshman’s move from Liverpool to Stoke seems to have done him the world of good, as the former Swansea man is finally starting to show the sort of form that he so regularly does on the International stage in the Premier League.
A fantastic Euro 2016 campaign seems to have rejuvenated Allen who has too often mis-used and left out during his tenure at Anfield.
